The identity of a man who died riding Stardust Racers at Universal Epic Universe theme park in Orlando has been revealed, as well as his cause of death.
32-year-old Keven Rodriguez Zavala became unresponsive while riding the popular attraction on Wednesday (September 17).
He was taken to a nearby hospital, where he was pronounced dead.
Stardust Racers incident: cause of death revealed
While Orange County fire officials stated that Rodriguez Zavala didn’t fall from the roller coaster, an autopsy confirmed that the cause of his death was from ‘multiple blunt impact injuries’.
In his autopsy report, Orange-Osceola Chief Medical Examiner Joshua Stephany told News 6 that the death was an accident.
Universal has confirmed that the ride is now closed as the investigation into Rodriguez Zavala’s death continues.
A spokesperson is quoted as having said: “We are devastated by this tragic event and extend our sincerest sympathies to the guest’s loved ones.
“We are fully cooperating with the ongoing investigation.
“The attraction remains closed.”
Witnesses report hearing cries for help
Maria Fernandez was at the Epic Universe park at the time of the incident and told News 6 that she heard cries for help as the tragic accident occurred.
Fernandez, who was on one of the racers at the same time as Rodriguez Zavala, said: “When I was on the ride, the travel finishes, and one girl starts to say, ‘Help! Help! Help!’
“The girl was screaming, and we didn’t understand what happened.”
The ride stopped, and all riders were taken off by security.
She said that the 32-year-old Zavala appeared to be seriously injured.
“I don’t know if he was dead in that moment, but I think yes,” Fernandez said.
Epic Universe opened at Universal Orlando Resorts in May, with five themed sections in the park, as well as a large hotel.
Stardust Racers was built by German company Mack Rides, and it is the largest roller coaster the company builds.
This is not the first incident on Stardust Racers
There have been incidents on the ride before now, according to recent reports, but none as serious as this.
The International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions released a general statement about safety measures that are taken before rides are opened to the public.
Jakob Wahl, the organization’s CEO and President, said: “The amusement industry designs, builds and operates rides according to global safety standards.
“Rides have been successfully designed, tested and operated to those standards for decades.
“Florida regulations require rides to be designed, tested and operated according to ASTM F24 global safety standards.
“The design standard includes requirements for technical areas of the ride.
“Criteria are detailed for risk assessment, hazard mitigation, rider restraint and dimensions, biomechanical considerations including acceleration limits, mechanical loads, electrical, operating conditions, fencing, handrails, gates, walkways, signage and many other areas. “Testing requires running the rides under normal operating conditions for a certain period of time.
“Testing would include loading and unloading of the rides, normal operation of the ride, and all the systems associated with the ride.”